For the fifth year running, poets and poetry enthusiasts from all over the country will congregate in Much Wenlock for what promises to be a wonderful weekend of poetry, literature, music and film, joined by some of the greatest writers of our time. The festival will run from 25 to 27 April and has more events than ever before packed into the three days. The anniversary of the outbreak of WW1 forms a theme, with a celebration of the Shropshire war poets AE Housman, Wilfred Owen and Mary Webb, plus a number of film screenings. Highlights include modern day troubadour Simon Armitage reading extracts from his latest book, recounting his travels along the Pennines, the ‘Festival Poetry Slam’ on Saturday 26 at The Edge, plus Much Wenlock’s very own Young Poet Laureate, Mia Cunningham.
There is a host of free events, workshops and family activities taking place all over the town. Liz Roberts, Chair of Wenlock Poetry Festival, commented, “In just four years Wenlock has become established as one of the UK’s leading poetry festivals, giving opportunities to well-known, emerging and local poets to reach enthusiastic audiences. Wenlock Poetry Festival has become recognised as one of the country’s most noteworthy literature festivals, attracting some of the best poets and performers writing today. We can’t wait for April when the town will be full to the brim with writing, art, music and celebration.”
For full details of the programme and to buy tickets, please visit the festival website www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org There is a festival box office which is open from 6-28 March on Thursday and Fridays, 10am–4pm, and 3-27 April on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am–4pm (cheques and cash only) at The Corn Exchange, High Street, Much Wenlock, tel 01952 726829. For events which are being held at The Edge Arts Centre, tickets can be purchased from edgeartscentre.com or 01952 728911.
